The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad'
Cairns and stone rings on the plain by the split rock, read as the fight with Amalek
Found 1992 — Jim and Penny Caldwell (early 1990s); developed by the Doubting Thomas Research Foundation (2018+)
Where Wadi plain below the split rock, Al-Bad' area, Tabuk Province (Saudi Arabia)
Dates from Unknown; regional cairns range from the Neolithic to recent times · Undated desert stone structures · Battle with Amalek at Rephidim (claimed)
Now at Site (Saudi Arabia)
How The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad' was found
Near the split rock, visitors noted many low stone rings and cairns spread across the wadi floor and a long low wall 6–8 m long, which they interpreted as graves of the fallen and the altar Moshe named 'YHVH Nissi'.
What it is
Dozens of small circular and oval stone settings, some heaped, some ringed, scattered across a sandy plain, together with a rectangular stone platform. None has been opened or dated.
Why it matters for the Bible
Exodus 17 places the water-from-the-rock miracle and the battle with Amalek at Rephidim, and Moshe built an altar there. Proponents therefore expect graves and an altar near the split rock, and these structures are offered as both. Archaeologists point out that stone rings and cairns are the standard graves, hearths and animal pens of the Arabian desert over many thousands of years; only excavation could tell what these are. Franz adds that an Amalekite attack makes better geographic sense on the traditional Sinai route.
The Hebrew word: ah-doh-NAI nis-SEE (YHVH nis-SEE)
יְהוָה נִסִּי
יְהוָה נִסִּי is pronounced ah-doh-NAI nis-SEE (YHVH nis-SEE) and means 'YHVH is my banner', the name Moshe gave the altar at Rephidim (Strong's H3071).
People this discovery connects to
- Joshua — יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (ye-hoh-SHOO-ah) — YHVH is salvation
Places
- Rephidim — רְפִידִים (re-fee-DEEM) — resting places, supports
Events
Battle with Amalek; Moshe's hands held up by Aharon and Chur (claimed location)
The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad' in Scripture
Exodus 17:1 First mention of Rephidim in Scripture.
Exodus 17:8-13 The battle with Amalek at Rephidim; the cairns are claimed as graves from it.
Exodus 17:15-16 Moshe builds an altar and names it YHVH Nissi; the stone platform is claimed as this altar.
Questions people ask
What is The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad'?
Dozens of small circular and oval stone settings, some heaped, some ringed, scattered across a sandy plain, together with a rectangular stone platform. None has been opened or dated.
When was The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad' discovered?
It was found in 1992 by Jim and Penny Caldwell (early 1990s); developed by the Doubting Thomas Research Foundation (2018+), at Wadi plain below the split rock, Al-Bad' area, Tabuk Province.
Where is The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad' today?
Site (Saudi Arabia).
Which Bible verses does The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad' relate to?
Exodus 17:1, Exodus 17:8-13, Exodus 17:15-16.
Is The 'Rephidim Battlefield' Claim near Al-Bad' authentic?
Undated surface features of common desert types; no excavation or dating.
Related discoveries
- גְּבוּלThe 'Boundary Markers' around Jabal al-LawzStone cairns claimed as the fence Moshe set around the mountain
- עָשָׁןThe Blackened Summit of Jabal MaqlaThe dark peak said to be scorched when YHVH descended in fire
- עַיִןMaqna 'Springs of Moses' (Arabian Elim and Marah claims)Palm-oasis springs on the Gulf of Aqaba offered as the twelve wells of Elim
- צוּרThe 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal MaqlaA giant cleft boulder in Saudi Arabia claimed as the rock Moshe struck
- מַצֵּבָהThe 'Altar of Moses' and 'Twelve Pillars' at Jabal al-LawzStone structure and column fragments at the mountain's foot, claimed from Exodus 24
- מְעָרָהThe 'Cave of Elijah' at Jabal al-LawzA rock-cut chamber claimed as the cave of 1 Kings 19
Sources
- Doubting Thomas Research Foundation, 'The Split Rock and Battlefield at Rephidim'
- Franz, 'Mount Sinai Is NOT Jebel al-Lawz in Saudi Arabia' (ABR)
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